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34. LizAnne - Elegy Op.183, No.2LizAnne -- that volume was way too low. Even with my volume all the way up I can hardly hear. But from what I can discern, a wonderful melody coming out. Just hoped to hear more of it. I can just pick up treble.

I don't understand what happened. The recording sounds just fine on my computer. And I recorded MIDI - input volume looks fine...

13. wj3/Walt - Bethena I was looking forward to this. You got thru it a lot better than I did several recitals ago when one of my pauses was so long that I still wonder if I'm going to start up again This arrangement keeps the flavor of the original really well, and you'll love the original. But it took me several years, yes, several years, to be able to actually play it. Good luck!

14. ladypayne - Early Winter It kind of sounds like early winter in Russia, or Hungary. I love your big sound.

15. (Was) True Beginner - Sandy This felt more mature than your previous compositions, which I guess isn't a surprise. But your skills are really growing. Very nice.

16. BenPiano - Poem What a charming piece, and you played it completely appropriately. How cute that your family wrapped it for you and gave it to you

17. Monica K. Opening This was mesmerizing. A great way to make the transition from work to downtime.Your technical skills always amaze me, too. I just don't play this cleanly, and this was a difficult piece to do it on any way. Excellent.

19. jazzpt - You SeeWhat a beautiful start. And what technique you have. Very cool.

20. Inlanding - Glen - Angle Eye and Morning Greets the New Day Great study in contrasts. You and Hawgdriver have the "contemplative/reflective" awards for this recital. I loved the improv.

21. Andy Platt - Gavotte and Variations Ah, a dance! I love the pieces themselves and I love the way your bass clef/counter melodies sing out.

22. casinitaly (Cheryl) - Romanza and The Little Music Box I love your music box And your musicality just keeps getting better - I didn't have that until 30 years after I stopped lessons. Yours is great.

More tomorrow -

Cathy

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CathyPractice like you are the worst; play like you are the best - anonymous

I couldn't possibly single out any of the contributions to the 28th Recital so I'm taking them all in groups. I am in awe of the overall quality, especially with respect to the relative experience, and am amazed at the diversity of material.

There were moments, reading the background pages, where my jaw dropped at the experience field and my eyes watered reading the additional info, not to mention drooling at the instrument used field.

I thank everyone for sharing these performances, I've listened to all of them a few times and some will be on my mp3 player for a while yet.

I'm honoured to be a part of this inspiring group.

Thank you, Jazzwee and Cathy, for listening and for your touching comments.

Some of you have more time at the piano than others and have different starting levels of dexterity and control. Your time may not always have been as focussed with some of you and there may have been long gaps between starting out and where you are now but each of you are beginning to show direction and purpose. You are all approaching a period of accelerated progress and you all seem ready to embrace it.________________________

There is a clear maturity in your fingers and a clearer direction in your choice of material. Those who are taking a classical route are struggling to match the sonority and confidence of those taking a more modern direction where the fingers are free of the more rigorous discipline of classical piano but getting to where you are now, whatever path you've chosen, has taken a resolve that will most likely see you continuing on to the next level.

I would be unable to guess your experience from the quality of your performances but I am sure I would have guessed longer in each case. It took me longer to get where you are now.__________________________

At this stage you have all reached a point where your relationship with the instrument is established and your practise time is simply a part of your life. It shows. Some of you are where you want to be and others are still ambitious for more but I'm quite confident that this time next year you will all be able to listen back to these performances and know you've moved on already.___________________________

While not all of you have a full decade at the keys and some have had that time interrupted, you all have an affinity with the piano that doesn't come from a few short years and you express your personalities clearly through your playing. I'm proud to be part of this group and delighted to get to know you better by listening to you as well as rubbing shoulders with you in the forum.___________________________

I've learned so much by participating in this, my first ABF recital, and I am off now to start practising for the next.

02 jaredm2012 Jared Miller To Zanarkand, Nobuo UematsuNice job, Jared. Are you sure it's only 5 months? Your expressiveness is that of a veteran player. Amazing.

03 cebukid Bach Invention 1 in C-Major (BWV 772)Nice job on a tricky piece. Sounds like some one was having fun in the background, too.

04 Peyton Message From Space: Waiting for the SunHoly smoke! There is a lot going on in this piece. Are you sure you don't have a third hand? An interesting atmospheric piece that, to my ears, sounds impossibly difficult. Sweet!

05 wouter79 Les Baricades Misterieuses, Francois CouperinAnother beautiful piece. It does not sound easy, but you make it seem effortless, wouter. Great job.

That's all I will have time for tonight. I am tired and rather upset about a tragic accident that befell a veteran's parade here today. Hunt For Heroes Tragedy

I sort of have mixed feelings about this recital. A mix of inspiration, awe and a little bit of despair - so many people playing so well, with so much more experience. A lot of these pieces don't sound like beginner's work at all!

Allard, I had a very similar reaction after my first ABF recital!! I questioned the definition of an adult beginner!Our beginners range from absolute "never played an instrument" to "played an instrument but not piano" to "played piano as a kid then took a 40 year break".

You are quite right that many of these pieces don't sound at all "beginner-ish" --- but do not let it make you despair. Inspiration is good--- awe is fun, but intimidating!!Just think of what YOU will be playing in a few years!

Personally, I admire the absolute beginners the most for taking part in the recital. It takes a lot of guts to be a beginner. Even if a piece is not very "advanced," there is always something to admire about the performance, and something we can learn from it. Thank you again to everyone who participated for giving me a reason to try for perfection, and for teaching me more about playing the piano.

Very touching and compassionate performances. Good stuff, Bill and Starr Keys.

Best live band improvised performance:

30. Jazzwee - Blue Monk

Very swing and nightclub sound. Nicely done and great band, Jazzwee.

_____________________________________

OK, now I know it's not a contest and just having some fun here. If I could find enough categories, of course, everyone would be going home with a trophy, in addition to the honorable red dot medallion.

Very impressed with terrific mixed and multi-instrument sounds:

27. kenjazz (Ken) - Waltz For Debby

this is really a great nightclub jazz sound, Ken and great pick. I love the tune. Nicely done.

20. Inlanding - Glen - Angle Eye and Morning Greets the New Day

you really nail the swing on this one, Glen. Really great playing.

55. Mile Hi Steve - Halloween Potpourri

Wow, this is impressive stuff, Steve. Thought I was listening to Styx for a minute there ... a really a fabulous sound.

I'm on the road ( I'm showing my paintings at the Paradise City art show in Marlborough Ma. If any of you all are in the area come by and say hi) with just my iPhone to access the web so I won't be able to listen till next week, it looks to be an awesome recital !!

_________________________
Parent....Orchestral Viola player (stictly amateur)....Hack Pianist.... (faded skills from glory days 20 yrs ago)Vague Guitar & Bass player.... (former minor income stream 15 yrs ago)Former conductor... (been a long time since I was set loose with a magic wand!)

From top to bottom, this is the best recital I've heard in my time here. I don't know you can really measure recitals like that, saying one is better than another, except that I just enjoy the music I hear so much. I enjoy the selections, I enjoy the performances, but most of all I enjoy the sheer musicality. Thank all of you for your passion, and especially thank you to Monica and the others that keep this alive and thriving.

_________________________
Only in men's imagination does every truth find an effective and undeniable existence. Imagination, not invention, is the supreme master of art as of life. -Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski

01. CarlosCC - Canzone Popolare (Francia 1500ca) - Original extended coverVery beautiful. I didn't detect the transition between the original stuff and yours... all nicely done!

02. jaredm2012 Jared Miller - To ZanarkandWow, this is stunning for 5 months of piano! Tell me you've played organ or harpsichord for years, please!

03. cebukid - Bach Invention 1 in C-Major (BWV 772)I kept thinking there were kids outside my office door when I had this on. I like your invention, seems like a finger twister to me though! Nicely done.

04. Peyton - Message From Space: Waiting for the SunWow. Are you sure this is only 2 hands, one piano? I listened to it all, loved it!

05. wouter79 - Les Baricades MisterieusesThanks for the introduction to Couperin. It's a really pretty piece of music, and you presented it very well. Nice dynamics and tone... I really enjoyed this a lot.

07. dannylux / Mel - Kosenko Consolation Op.9 No.1I love your description of it being lovely "unless you're recording it and worried about the four big arpeggios at the end"... that's so perfectly said! Well, I couldn't detect your anticipation, and you pulled it off swimmingly. Well done!

09. Riddler (Ed) - Chelsea BridgeThis does sound rich... all from a lead sheet? You've got a great ear.

10. timmyab - Arabesque no 1Very smooth and rich... I don't know why you're sighing about 20 years, you should be sighing because this is really quite gorgeous to listen to.

11. Mr Super-Hunky - Nothing Else Matters-original coverI don't know the original, but this is a nice piano "power ballad". (Found that phrase when I googled the title!)

12. Jake S - Prelude no.4 in E minorAh, one of my favorites, and what I'm hoping to work on next... nicely done, especially after only 10 months! Lots of dynamics, very musical, nicely paced, congrats.

13. Wj3 / Walt - BethenaNeat Joplin... "The Entertainer" is one of my Dad's favorites, and I keep meaning to put that on my list of "to do"'s... but I fear it's going to take me a long time to learn! Nice job!

14. ladypayne - Early WinterEarly winter indeed... we had our first flakes the other day... loved the transition at 1:45 into that serious march-y type thing... evoked the serious, hard, side of the season. Nice composition, stay warm!

15. (Was)TrueBeginner - SandyThis seems a little on the calm side to be named after Sandy! (I was expecting some serious pounding) But you play very well, and it was an interesting listen... thanks!

Edited by bessel (11/15/1211:43 PM)

_________________________
Started playing: February 2011. Still having fun.

09. Riddler (Ed) - Chelsea Bridge - Yeah, I hear you on the Debussy side - there are certainly some rich and interesting harmonies in here. Great job with this - it sounds tough! (nice arpeggios at the end)

08. Greener / Jeff Green - Little Preludes No. 2 (BWV 934) & No. 4 (BWV 936)I'm sure I've heard a theme from that last prelude used in a more modern final fantasy song. Interesting to hear how these old classics still influence our music.

09. Riddler (Ed) - Chelsea BridgeThis composition paints a colourful picture. Too bad it's of a different bridge; I wouldn't mind crossing this one on a nice evening, taking time to look around.

12. Jake S - Prelude no.4 in E minorThis is played so softly, hard to hear every detail even with my headphones on. But it seems a soft touch is appropriate.

13. Wj3 / Walt - BethenaI had never heard another Joplin song before. Can definitely hear similarities with The Entertainer. I'm curious about how your original version will sound.

14. ladypayne - Early WinterAn early winter doesn't sound so bad after all

16. BenPiano - PoemLike any poem, the form is simple enough, but there are layers of meaning behind the words/notes. I'm going to hazard a guess and state it's all about a grand recital, except people play from the comfort of their homes rather than a large concert hall. You can hear the intimacy.

17. Monica K. - OpeningA song full of triplets against whole and eighth notes? It sounds simple but must be all but to play. Also, this should have been first on the playlist, although it's a tad long for an opening. I imagine there should be some visuals to complement the themes.

22. CASINITALY (Cheryl) - Romanza and The Little Music BoxThe Romanza sounds so familiar...The Little Music Box was cute. It's the same melody as a children's song for Saint Nicholas, here in the Netherlands. An event that is coming up soon.

23. SandTiger - ShimmerRecorded with no audio feedback at all? That's amazing! The piece is also a bit loud, by the way. Maybe increased the volume a bit too much.

24. Yamaha G3 & P-80, Mike White - MeditationI think Cecile Chaminade had a strange idea of meditation, but the piece is nice enough. Well played. With a Yamaha P80, no less.

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David Lanz - Dark HorseYiruma - River Flows In You

Being new in the piano community, I'm surprised how many people don't know Metallica and the song Nothing Else Matters. It's famous!

Then again, I hadn't heard about Clementi either.

Metallica is well "before the time" of many youngsters in the "piano community" - I only wish this applied to me also

Back in the day my mush-brained nephew used to come into my garage while I was working on my old pickup truck with his boombox blaring away with heavy metal screechings including those of Metallica - after a short while I had to throw all three of them out (nephew, boombox & Metallica) - he finally wised up, saving his sanity and my hearing, by getting into Country music...

Now, Clementi - he is before my time...slightly...

_________________________
Every difficulty slurred over will be a ghost to disturb your repose later on. Frederic Chopin

Here is my first batch. I must say that I'm almost more impressed by people's ability to provide useful and timely comments across all of these styles and abilities than by the performances themselves.

06. Amaruk - Summer '78

Beautiful sound, performance and production quality from your “Good Bye Lenin!” series. I highly recommend everyone to check out the video, even if you are not normally a recital video watcher. It is very cool!

08. Greener / Jeff Green - Little Preludes No. 2 (BWV 934) & No. 4 (BWV 936) I’m always impressed how you can play any style, including esoteric Bach. You were so locked in on the left hand! Nice job.

09. Riddler (Ed) - Chelsea Bridge

This was an awesome solo piano arrangement. You had full use of the keyboard, it did not seem sparse in any section. You captured the contemplative mood, but still had good movement so it didn't turn maudlin. Really nice!

19. Jazztpt (Russ) - You See

Another brilliant composition and performance. If someone told me that I was listening to Chick Corea, I would not have questioned it at all. I sensed flavors of his composition style. The complexity of the piece left me unable to guess the form, which is OK since I couldn't play it (to steal) anyway. The touch, dynamics and technique combined with the sound of the Roland HP507 made it a real treat. Well done. PS. as with all jazz compositions, I’m always interested in the back story behind the title…

20. Inlanding - Glen - Angle Eye and Morning Greets the New Day

Glen, you simply have the effortless touch for jazz swing. Angle eye and some of your recent postings in the Piano Bar really show this. I’m guessing this comes a lot more from “listening” than from “playing”, but you know exactly what sounds right to play. Morning Greets the New Day is a beautiful, evocative composition with some really tasty chord selections. It is so rich and full sounding. I loved it!

30. Jazzwee - Blue Monk

Playing the blues is easy, right? Just a few chords and a few scales. Wrong. Staying inventive and interesting when there is not much in the way of melody or harmony changes to anchor your soloing is really hard. Anybody can play notes in the right scale(s), but very few can make you want to keep listening after a chorus. This was a super job! You and the band were really digging in, and the crowd was eating it up. I’ll bet feedback from a live audience really helped you with the energy…

45. jotur/Cathy Turner - Alexander's Ragtime Band

You made it in! Being able to do a one-take-wonder (love that phrase) on a Rag is mind-blowing. It sounded great as a solo number. Lots of fun…

49. BillM - When You Wish Upon A Star

Very nice vocals Bill, and I want to make sure that your wonderful self-comping doesn't go under-appreciated. This song should have been last, because it puts a nice ending on the whole show!

32. TX-Dennis/Dennis Turner - Be Thou My Vision

I never heard this Irish hymn before, but I love it. I tried to do something similar once with Tura Lura Lural, but it was a train wreck. The Irish flavorings are very subtle, but that makes it extra special. Well done.

26. MusicaMusique - Je t'aimais, je t'aime, je t'aimerai This is a really lovely piece – full of poetry, tenderness, it lives up to its title! I listened to the streamed version and unfortunately there is a very strong hissing noise which distracts a lot from your otherwise great performance.

27. kenjazz (Ken) - Waltz For Debby Ken this was really great! I was interested to see that you’d not done another Monk and to be very honest, I enjoyed this more than the rather “particular” pieces you’ve done before I also liked your background story about misunderstanding the words! The smooth intro was so soothing then what a surprise to jump into the perkier section! You really did a great job on bringing this together with the right voice and feel of the period!

28. MaryBee - Bagatelle No.25 in A minor (Fur Elise) What an interesting background to this piece MaryBee – I think you were courageous to step outside your box and share the results with us. I must say I for one was delighted. You’ve given an elegance and poetry to this that is not often heard. I have only heard the second part of this piece once before (when Andy played it a while back) I really liked how you handled the change in tempos and mood. Bravissima! Complimenti!

29. Allard - Before the Last Leaf Falls I don’t think I’ve ever heard any Lanz pieces before. This is a charming piece and it is indeed evocative of autumn. I think blue skies and orange-red leaves, fields of green – Well done indeed! You are doing very well for 1 year! I certainly couldn’t have managed that (I don’t know that I could do it now after almost 3 years!)

30. Jazzwee - Blue Monk From a live show! How cool is that? Though blues may not be your cuppa tea I have to say this was great. Your guitar player is a treat to listen to as well! Your memory/improvisation work had me tapping my feet and “dancing” at my desk! Smokin’!

31. zrtf90 (Richard) - Romance Sans Paroles, Op. 17 No. 3 Most enjoyable music Richard! I’m not very familiar with Fauré though I have heard a bit of his music. How interesting that you came back to it after such a long time. I think it was well worth the attention you dedicated to it! Thank you for the pleasure of hearing it!

32. TX-Dennis/Dennis Turner - Be Thou My Vision Wonderful piece! The powerful richness in the middle section is marvelous. The delicacy of the beginning and end sections is uplifting. Very well done, complimenti!

33. Serge88 - My Way Funny to think this almost classifies as an “oldie” now. I think you did an excellent job on this. Very enjoyable to listen to!

34. LizAnne - Elegy Op.183, No.2 Let’s hope that your “re-starting” this time really takes. You are clearly putting a lot of energy and time into your playing and it is paying off! I’ve never heard this piece before – thanks for introducing it to me! I look forward to hearing your next recording!

35. MrPozor - The Doll's Funeral Well done Mr. Pozor! You’re off to a good start even with out a teacher! I could see, in my mind’s eye, the solemn procession of children and their doll as I listened!

36. lyricmudra - Consolation No. 3 Pure poetry! You played this so wonderfully! Talk about music to stir the heartstrings – I was moved by your performance and I can see why you wanted to conquer this piece! Beautiful, beautiful performance.

37. TrapperJohn - I'll Be Seeing You TJ I just love the choices you make for the recitals AND the background info you provide on each of them. I don’t remember the last time I heard this piece but what a treat to hear it again today. I had not remembered it was the theme song to Liberace’s show! Thanks for that little stroll down memory lane – lovely playing!

38. DadAgain (& DadAgains Daughter) - Rondo Op163 #6 What fun to play a duet “en famille”! What a FUN piece! I just loved it! It is very clear that you and your daughter have a delightful rapport and it was a real pleasure to hear your duet! I had a huge smile on my face from the very first bars! I want to play that piece!!! Thanks so much!

39. Ganddalf - Prelude Op.45 More Chopin! How wonderful ! Your playing skills are certainly above mine I can’t make any comments on the technical front – I’ll just restrict my remarks to letting you know that I took great pleasure in listening to you perform this elegant music! (The recording sounded fine on my PC (with my special headphones!))

40. Sam S - Prelude Opus 28 number 15 (Raindrop) Sam, I’ve been looking forward to this since I read that you were debating on whether or not to present it! I am so glad you did. Not only was your playing a pleasure to listen, your “new” piano has a truly wonderful voice, and you’ve really made it sing here. Complimenti!

41. joangolfing - Elves' Dance I’ve liked Grieg’s music for a long time and yet I’ve never heard this piece before – what good fun! I can just picture the Elves tip-toeing and then stomping about in a circle! Nicely done!

42. Copper - What a Wonderful World Oh you hit a golden favourite here Copper! Most enjoyable! I could hear Louie in the background .

43. Starr Keys - Broken Hearted Me Oh, I remember this one. Your background info prompted me to look at the video – the paintings were really lovely ! (I was confused about the carrots though….?) Great job – I’m so impressed by people who can sing and play at the same time. I’ve yet to be able to do it. I wish your sister all the best – she’s certainly been having difficulties!

44. Valencia - Work in Progress --Chopin's Etude 25/11 Interesting choice to submit a work in progress…..Unfortunately there were some very strange noises –not quite static, but interference for sure, which made it hard to focus just on the music. It does sound like you’re making great headway on the piece though. Let’s hear it again when you’re farther along!

45. jotur/Cathy Turner - Alexander's Ragtime Band Cathy, this is really fun! I found myself singing along and tapping my toes! You’ve really got the knack for playing this type of music with the right bounce and energy! Complimenti!!

46. Coldsalmon - Nocturne in Eb Major, Op. 9 No. 2 Oh, how sad your piano was lost in the storm! The force of nature is truly wondrous and terrifying. Your playing here is very impressive – this is another piece I thoroughly enjoyed listening to in our November recital.

47. windywindy - Love Is All Around This is the theme song from the Mary Tyler Moore show! Well done! I was initially shocked when I saw you’ve been playing 8 months..then the next few words filtered into my brain! Loved the verve and energy at your conclusion! Very enjoyable!

48. Teodor - Tereza's Inspiration (Original Piece) Teodor, it has been such a pleasure to hear how you’ve improved from your early days of playing, and now to see you working with compositions! Very very exciting! This was a rich dynamic piece – most enjoyable.

49. BillM - When You Wish Upon A Star Ah Bill, I love your work! This is one of my favourites from Disney too – what a treat to hear your version of it! As always you’ve brought your own touch of charm to the piece and you certainly had me smiling! Complimenti!

50. Bessel - The Happy Farmer (Returning from Work), and Wild Horseman After hearing about these pieces in the ATOW thread I have been waiting with anticipation! That farmer certainly does sound happy – probably because it is the end of the day and he can go home and put is feet up. The Horseman sounded very dashing to me! Well done!

51. PianoStudent88 - Minuets BWV Anh. 114, 115 I love this music! I think the recording didn’t do justice to your performance. I enjoyed listening to all the details of the compositions that you brought to life very effectively. Your ornamentation was particularly pretty!

52. Mar_red - Dom (Home) / Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Medley. The first piece was lovely – very touching, and with a sitting-by-the-fireside coziness to it. I could picture a family going about their evening activities, almost as though I was looking through a window of a doll house. As for the second… what a great cheery piece to lead us into the holiday season.. ok a tad early but what the heck! I’m always ready for Christmas music. Yours was a really delightful version - I really enjoyed it. (loved the flourish at the end!)

53. Sam Rose (Shmuel R) - Solfeggietto (Solfeggio) in C Minor Um. I have to say that there isn’t anything about this piece that sounds easy to me! Well done -and with an injured finger too! Your progress continues to astonish me! Wow!

55. Mile Hi Steve - Halloween Potpourri Well, I can say that I didn’t recognize any of the bits you thought would be easy to spot, but I certainly did enjoy this. I can hear that you had tremendous fun with this piece. The various voices are really great and you definitely created a tension-building mood! What a dynamic, dramatic conclusion to our November recital!

What a simply wonderful recital! Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to prepare and contribute to making this event such a special one!

_________________________XVIII-XXXVIIFollow your teacher's instructions and practice wisely/much, and you'll soon wonder how you ever found it hard. BobPicklePerformance anxiety: make it part of your daily routine and deal with it...Cope! zrtf90

27. kenjazz (Ken) - Waltz For Debby Ken this was really great! I was interested to see that you’d not done another Monk and to be very honest, I enjoyed this more than the rather “particular” pieces you’ve done before

Thanks Casinitaly! I think you've got me confused with the other "Ken" who normally submits a Monk tune. Although, I do have a version of Ruby, My Dear that I can post if we miss the other Ken too much

I cannot believe this is my 16th ABF recital. Next recital it will be 4 years, which means 5 years since I started playing again, since I played for a year before I got up the nerve to participate. You would think that I would be a much better player by now!

05. wouter79 - Les Baricades Misterieuses Excellent job. I think this is your best recital piece yet. Of course, I love this piece. You did a good job on the ornaments and bringing out the inner voices. I do prefer a steadier tempo, but that's your call.

11. Mr Super-Hunky - Nothing Else Matters-original cover Very interesting - you put a lot of work into this and it shows.

12. Jake S - Prelude no.4 in E minor Nicely done. Loved the ending. One "simple" thing you can do to improve it is to watch for abrupt pedal changes. As one of my teachers constantly reminded me, "the pedal is not an on-off switch". He meant there were many gradations of pedal and not to be so abrupt with it...

27. kenjazz (Ken) - Waltz For Debby I can imagine how hard it is to do these pieces - very impressive.

28. MaryBee - Bagatelle No.25 in A minor (Fur Elise) It's a real joy to hear this without the usual compromises and student mistakes. Excellent job. You are braver than I am - I think I would veto my teacher if she suggested I try this!

27. kenjazz (Ken) - Waltz For Debby Ken this was really great! I was interested to see that you’d not done another Monk and to be very honest, I enjoyed this more than the rather “particular” pieces you’ve done before

Thanks Casinitaly! I think you've got me confused with the other "Ken" who normally submits a Monk tune. Although, I do have a version of Ruby, My Dear that I can post if we miss the other Ken too much

Oh dear!!!! I'm sorry, you're quite right, I did get mixed up! ...well, I really did like your piece! I wasn't mixed up on that!

_________________________XVIII-XXXVIIFollow your teacher's instructions and practice wisely/much, and you'll soon wonder how you ever found it hard. BobPicklePerformance anxiety: make it part of your daily routine and deal with it...Cope! zrtf90

...while I was working on my old pickup truck with his boombox blaring away with heavy metal screechings including those of Metallica - after a short while I had to throw all three of them out (nephew, boombox & Metallica)

Kept the truck, I see

Cathy

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CathyPractice like you are the worst; play like you are the best - anonymous

Casinitaly: Thank you for the encouraging comments! I’m sorry there was static when you listened to it. I cannot hear the interference myself when I listen using the online streamer on my computer so I’m not sure what is happening with the file. If anyone else hears the static let me know and maybe I can figure out how to record so that does not happen. I want to work out the kinks in the recording process before the next recital.

Yes this piece may always be a work in progress for me. But when I started I could hardly read the notes on the score. So the fact that I can play it through now from memory is a real achievement and very exciting for me. Also, part of why I submitted this piece was in the spirit of anti-elitism, because it seems in some realms, (I am not speaking of here!) there is a snobbery around pieces like this. It’s as if such pieces should only be attempted and performed if you can play the piece to a certain standard or if you are a certain calibre of pianist (of which I am not). Given the fact that such ideas are ‘out there’, I was *very* nervous about posting this snippet, but a friend assured me I would not be ridiculed if I posted it for this ABF recital. So far so good! :P

Richard: Thank you for your kind words and I hope you are right about approaching a period of accelerated progress!! It’s been slow going getting back into playing this past year, but it seems I’m finally able to start putting a few pieces together. Although I have a long way to go musically and technically. I look forward to performing with you in the upcoming Songs Without Words recital.

It’s been wonderful listening to everyone’s entries. Thank you for sharing and for inspiring me with your playing!

Valencia, I just realized that I accidentally skipped your entry. I didn't recall listening to your piece and I looked back and sure enough, the entry was blank on my first post. Sorry about that and I revised my post to now add my comments about your 25/11. So please read it on the first page. Great work! I hope I didn't miss anyone else.

I'm on the road ( I'm showing my paintings at the Paradise City art show in Marlborough Ma. If any of you all are in the area come by and say hi) with just my iPhone to access the web so I won't be able to listen till next week, it looks to be an awesome recital !!

Hey Peyton. Give me some time. I'll put all the recital files in "box.com" site to share with you (i think you can listen them with iPhone, right?)Meanwhile, I have had a terrible day at office, so I'm going to listen this recital only this weekend.

53. Sam Rose Shmuel Rpiece: C.P.E. Bach, Solfeggietto Solfeggio in C Minortechnical: clipping: no, you in fact have plenty room to spare so you could pull up the recording level a bit.balance L/R: oknoise: littlebass: not in the piecedepth of field: ok, not very deep. I would try how it sounds a little further away from the piano to bring in a little more room ambience if your room permits so. For this piece, I think this might well be the optimal position, while for Chopin you might want a bit more depth. piano sound: great (but I can't judge the bass since it's virtually absent ) . your fresh tuning and careful mic positioning pays off. I do not hear too much hammer sounds and attacks, which is also good for classic stuff (jazz players might want to hear more hammers). This is a good piece to judge the piano sound, because of the loose staccato lines. So if it sounds good with this kind of stuff, it will probably sound great with the pieces with big chords, legato and pedal.

musical: overall impression, like: Hey, this sounds vaguely familiar! I think I really butchered this one as one of the first pieces I submitted here :-D You made a very nice take. You are right that this definitely not easy if you try to play it presto. You have a much better control over the notes here than I had, making it sound much better and "slower" at almost the same speed that I took. I remember the end differently, are there multiple different versions around?Ok, so this is all very nicely played, I'm now switching to detail mode Phrasing: I think the phrasing should be brought out a bit clearer. It sounds too even and almost like a single long line. From what I remember there is not much in the score to use here, but I think one has to make up phrases in such cases. In this piece I think it helps to locate out a few "key" melody notes and play the rest as the harmonic filler. You do this once somewhere in the beginning but could be used in other places as well. Also because you play it all so smooth, the piece does not come really to life in my ears. Oh well, just my taste, others might just see such phrasing as unevenness.rubato, speed changes: yes as you said, the hardness of the particular part is too much your speed guide. Particularly the final phrase is suddenly a LOT faster, there is too much difference from the part before it, I don't hear anything in the music warranting such a speedup. Some nit-picking: I think that like me, you are going into auto-pilot and rolling chords when it gets hard, and you can hear it if you know how that sounds, eg at 0:15 and 0:36.Dynamics: yes there is, but it seems mostly from the left hand chords and the pedal, not so much in the melody. I know it is difficult to achieve at this speed but I think it could help bring the piece more to life.articulation: The parts that are without pedal, as right from the start is nice. Very clear, smooth sound. I don't agree with the part just over halfway, where you start to use some pedal. The pedal blurs the clarity that you need so much at this speed. Also playing part without and part with pedal makes the sound a little inconsistent. I would do without pedal at all (but I do almost all pieces without so don't pay too much attention to that )

29. Allard - Before the Last Leaf Falls Welcome to the ABF Recitals! This was wonderful for your first time. Hope you have many more recitals ahead.

30. Jazzwee - Blue Monk A real live performance! This is so great - wonderful job. Sounds like the audience loved it.

31. zrtf90 (Richard) - Romance Sans Paroles, Op. 17 No. 3 This was really well done, but I swear, at times, I heard the melody of "Red River Valley" peeking through. It's an American folk song, maybe you aren't familiar with it in Ireland. So yeah, I had to overlook that and listen again. You do a great job of bringing out the melody.

I'm on the road ( I'm showing my paintings at the Paradise City art show in Marlborough Ma. If any of you all are in the area come by and say hi) with just my iPhone to access the web so I won't be able to listen till next week, it looks to be an awesome recital !!

Hey Peyton. Give me some time. I'll put all the recital files in "box.com" site to share with you (i think you can listen them with iPhone, right?)Meanwhile, I have had a terrible day at office, so I'm going to listen this recital only this weekend.

Carlos, you are a champ but don't worry about me. I should have plenty of Time to listen when I get home next week. Hearing the pieces on the phone does not do them much justice anyway.

Sam, I took the fall board off to tune the piano and, just to be different, left it off for the video.